ENCORES! 2012 SEASON Equity Principal Audition - New York City Center Auditions

Encores! 2012 Season – Equity Principal Auditions

New York City Center Encores! Agreement Salary level TBA (last season’s weekly minimum: $1,108)

Artistic Dir: Jack Viertel

Mus Dir (all shows): Rob Berman

Casting: Binder Casting

New performance schedule: Invited dress (Tuesday) followed by seven-performance week (opening Wednesday and ending w/matinee and evening perfs on Saturday and Sunday).

Equity Principal Auditions:

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 Actors' Equity Association Audition Center

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 165 West 46th Street, 2nd Floor

9:30 AM - 5:30 PM both days. New York City

Lunch from 1 - 2.

Please prepare a brief, standard Broadway song (e.g. Jule Styne, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Jerry Herman, Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hart, Lerner & Loewe, Frank Loesser, Irving Berlin, Gershwin, Cy Coleman, Kander & Ebb). Bring sheet music in the correct key; accompanist is provided, but may not transpose.

Please bring a picture & resume, stapled back-to-back.

Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert presents fully staged concert versions of rarely produced American musicals. All performances, which include full orchestra and chorus, will be at City Center.

2011-12 Season. All roles are available (i.e. not yet offered and accepted):

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Score: Stephen Sondheim. Book: George Furth. Concert Adaptation/Dir: James Lapine. Choreo: Dan Knechtges. 1st reh: 1/26/12. Runs 2/8 – 2/12/12. May extend to 2/19.

Chronicles the lives and careers of three best friends. Story begins in 1976, and ends in 1957.

Franklin Shepard:

Late 20s - mid 30s. Charming, very appealing, gifted composer. People are immediately drawn to him. As we travel back in time, it is no surprise that he is revealed as obsessively ambitious. He is swept up by his success, and subsequently alienates his closest friends and his wife. Charismatic leading man-type. Ability to play the piano is a plus, but not absolutely necessary. Natural-sounding high baritone, up to F#.

Charley Kringas:

Late 20s - mid 30s. Franklin’s closest friend, his lyricist and collaborator. Idolizes and loves Franklin, but he is not a man who will compromise art on the altar of commercial success. Sees Franklin’s tunnel vision for success above all else as the ultimate betrayal, and it irreparably severs their friendship. As we travel backwards in time, we see he is shy and easily agitated. Appealing character actor-type, but not necessarily a nerd. Natural-sounding high baritone, up to G.

Joe Josephson:

Early 40s. Quintessential New York Broadway producer. While a bit crass, he has a big heart and sense of humor, and is well-meaning. Drawn to conventional musical theater, he ultimately realizes how gifted Frank and Charley are and produces their first hit, starring his wife Gussie. Knows he is losing her to Frank, and becomes a broken man. Baritone.

Frank Jr.:

Age 9. Frank and Beth’s son, a great and good-natured kid. Loves his parents dearly. Unchanged voice.

Mary Flynn:

Late 20s - mid 30s. Franklin and Charlie’s closest friend. Mary had the talent to be a great novelist; however, her insecurities and lack of self-esteem turn her into a bitter, overweight, acerbic drunk. She has been in love with Franklin from the beginning, but quietly suppresses her feelings until they can no longer be ignored. As we travel back in time, we see the warmth, care and loving dedication she had for her best friends, and the slimmer, attractive girl she once was. Role for an appealing character actress. Weight can be added through costuming at the beginning of the show. Two-octave range, from F below middle C, to the F two octaves higher.

Beth Spencer:

Early - mid 20s. Young aspiring singer/actress; meets Frank while auditioning for his revue. Winning, fresh, enthusiastic and talented. Very appealing and attractive. When we first meet her in 1967, she has discovered that Frank has been having an affair with his producer’s wife Gussie, and Beth and Frank are going through a traumatic divorce. Not only are they in a custody suit over their eight-year-old child, but -- because of Frank’s fame -- the entire event has turned into a horrifying media circus. Must have great chest mix sound. Sings “Not A Day Goes By”.

Gussie Carnegie:

Early - mid 30s. She is a complete invention. She was Shirley Molinsky when she first went to work for producer Joe Josephson as his part-time secretary to pay for acting classes. Marries Joe, becomes one of the great Broadway musical stars. The first mature and sexual woman that Frank has met. Ultimately breaks up Frank’s first marriage and marries him. When we first meet her in 1976 California, she seems out of place in Hollywood, and realizes that Frank is, indeed, now having an affair with his young starlet. Actress must have glamour, wit, sexuality and must move very well. Broadway belter.

PIPE DREAM Music: Richard Rodgers. Book/Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein, II.

Concert Adaptation: David Ives. Dir: Marc Bruni. 1st reh: 3/15/12. Runs 3/28 – 4/1/12.

Based on “Sweet Thursday” by John Steinbeck, a sequel to his famous “Cannery Row”.

Doc:

Mid 30s. Marine biologist. Respected and loved by all the denizens of Cannery Row. He is free and easy-going, but also deeply interested in the study of marine biology and how it relates to the behavior of mankind. Has always seemed content working for just enough to keep himself satisfied. For as easy as it is for Doc to find female companionship, his friends correctly diagnose his condition as loneliness, and scheme to get him together with Suzy, a drifter who has landed at the local bordello. Actor must have integrity and intelligence. Excellent Broadway baritone.

Hazel:

Man, late 20s - mid 30s. One of the lovable Cannery Row bums who helps Doc with his work, even though he has no money and resides with the rest of the gang in what is lovingly known as the Palace Flophouse. One of eight children; his mother named him Hazel by mistake. Slow on the uptake. It takes an awful lot of concentration for him to thoroughly think things through. Has a wonderful innocent and childlike quality, and would do anything to protect Doc. Actor must be a remarkable eccentric comedian. This can be a show-stopping supporting role. Character baritone.

Mac:

Early 30s. Another one of the Cannery Row gang. The real thinker of the group. He is educated, and has a poetic streak. The most practical and intuitive of the bunch. Baritone.

Jim Blaikey:

Mid - late 30s. Plain-clothes policeman of Cannery Row. Has a big heart, and looks the other way when he knows something mildly underhanded is underway. He is resigned to appreciate the goodness and open-heartedness of the Flophouse gang and the floozies. Baritone.

Joe:

Mexican, mid - late 30s. Businessman, owner of a local shop; fancies himself a sharp and slick entrepreneur. Protects the illegal immigrants by getting them jobs and taking a cut. Usually does get duped by the gang, but without knowing it. Eventually tries to make a play for Suzy. Baritone.

George Herman:

Early 30s. Escapes to Cannery Row because of a physically abusive relationship between him and his wife. Finds peace and contentment amongst the Flophouse gang. Baritone.

Ray Busch:

Early 30s. George’s brother-in-law, a straitlaced businessman who leads a typical, well-ordered suburban life with his wife. When he comes to Cannery Row to rescue George, he of course realizes how wonderful this life is, and joins them. Baritone.

Suzy:

Early - mid 20s. Drifter who winds up in Cannery Row working for Fauna, the neighborhood madam. She and Doc’s Flophouse friends scheme to get them together. Their matchmaking backfires when Suzy senses Doc’s reluctance to become involved with her, and realizes that she is ashamed of herself. She moves into an abandoned boiler to build her independence and self-esteem, and is eventually successfully wooed by Doc. Actress must be very attractive and appealing, but with a hoydenish quality that can be tough and defensive. Must be an excellent Broadway mezzo with chest mix.

Fauna:

Early - mid 40s. Madam of the Bear Flag Café, the local bordello. Warm, maternal. Feels sorry for Suzy, and hires her against her better judgment. She is an eternal optimist, seeing the good in everyone. Determined to inspire Suzy to realize her potential and gain self-respect. The eternal matchmaker, she ultimately brings Docs and Suzy to an understanding of how much they need and care for each other. While open-hearted, she is not sentimental, and has a great sense of humor. Must have an excellent Broadway chest mix and belt.

GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES Music: Jule Styne. Lyrics: Leo Robin. Book: Joseph Fields & Anita Loos. Concert Adaptation: David Ives. Dir: John Rando. 1st reh: 4/26/12. Runs 5/9 - 5/13/12.

Lorelei Lee:

Mid - late 30s. Quintessential flapper of the 1920s. She is a “Follies” dancer, “retired” by a practical arrangement with Mr. Gus Esmond, Jr. While Lorelei may have originally hailed from Little Rock, AR, she has come a long way since the unfortunate incident accidentally involving a gun. While diamonds are definitely her “best friend”, she has a heart of gold. Lorelei has somehow retained her innocence while still remaining as smart a fox. Knows how to get what she wants. Not a traditional sexpot a la Marilyn Monroe. Actress must be a remarkable comedienne above all else. Alto.

Dorothy Shaw:

Mid - late 30s. Great looking “Follies” dancer and fun-loving best friend to Lorelei. While Lorelei is attracted to what money men have, Dorothy, on the other hand, “Loves what she’s doing when she’s doing it for love.” She is open, warm-hearted, and keeps a watchful eye as she chaperones Lorelei in Paris. She is also street-smart, and has a wise-cracking sense of humor. Preferably a brunette. Must be an excellent dancer. Needs an excellent chest mix and belt voice.

Mrs. Ella Spofford:

60s. Philadelphia’s richest woman. A genuine eccentric. Has a more than casual love for the “grape”. In fact, it’s constant. Loves her son Henry very much, even though he is overprotective of her. Wants to see him happily married. Must be a superb comedienne. Character singer.

Lady Phyllis Beekman:

British, 60s. Snobbish, overbearing, upper-class matron. Keeps her girl-chasing husband on a very tight leash. The one thing Lady Beekman has is the magnificent diamond tiara that Lorelei will go to any lengths to have. Superb comic. Character singer.

Gloria Stark:

Late 20s. “Follies” dancer and former colleague of Lorelei and Dorothy. Forever practicing and rehearsing her dancing, to the point of everyone’s absolute distraction. Must be a superb dancer, have strong ballet technique as well as jazz. Pointe work could be a plus.

Gus Esmond, Jr.:

Mid - late 30s. Lorelei’s “Daddy”. Sweet, caring and protective of Lorelei. At the last minute, he cannot sail with her to France, as there seems to be trouble in his button empire. In fact, he is the Button King. When wires get crossed and he does not hear from Lorelei, he arrives in Paris in a jealous rage -- but of course, at the end, everything turns out happily. Must be an excellent crooner in the 1940s style. Baritone.

Henry Spofford:

Late 20s - early 30s. He is Philadelphia Main Line. Shy college student who falls hopelessly in love with Dorothy. Even with his Main Line upbringing, he is not a snob. Actor must have a wonderful, open charm. Should move well. Excellent baritenor.

Sir Francis Beekman:

British, 60s. Lady Beekman’s much-put-upon upper-class husband. Easily and constantly distracted by beautiful young women, and becomes completely hypnotized by Lorelei. Must be a superb comedian. Character singer.

Josephus Gage:

Late 30s - mid 40s. The Zipper King. Entrepreneur and obsessive health addict. Actor should be physically strapping. Heroic baritone.

Robert (Robbear) Lemanteur / Esmond, Sr.:

Lemanteur: French, mid 40s. Magistrate a la Inspector Clouseau. Esmond Sr.: Frail, founding elder, in firm control of his son Gus and his button empire. Baritone.

Louis Lemanteur:

Mid - late 20s. Son of Robert the police officer. His “father’s son”.

Casting personnel state, “WE ENCOURAGE PERFORMERS OF ALL ETHNICITIES TO ATTEND.”